Gov’t Allocates $500M for Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion In 2026/27

The Government has allocated $500 million for fiscal year 2026/27 to advance work on the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion Project.

The funds are included in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled on February 12 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, in the House of Representatives.

Ground was broken on the project in July 2025, which is expected to provide direct access to irrigation water through a network of facilities to at least 4,000 farmers in Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth.

Other targets include achieving a 30 per cent increase in farmers demonstrating knowledge of modern farming techniques, promoting greater use of renewable energy, and reaching an 80 per cent increase in irrigable land for all farmers in the Pedro Plains area.

Additionally, the project aims to achieve a 30 per cent increase in revenue potential during implementation and to encourage greater financial investment within the project area.

During fiscal year 2026/27, work on the project will focus on completing the final engineering designs, initiating the development of a marketing and farmers’ group to strengthen knowledge and adaptability to best practices in modern farming techniques, and commencing the supply of pipes and appurtenances.

The project, funded by the Government, is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and is expected to be completed in March 2030.